Joint efficiency and strength quality

The strength quality of a weld joint has a close relationship with joint efficiency
determined by the strength of the materials as well as with the welding process.
The relationship among joint efficiency, weld joint strength and the strength of
base materials can be expressed as follows:

Joint efficiency = Strength of weld joint / Strength of base materials

For example, a butt joint of structural steel increases the strength of the weld
metal and heat-affected zone to be higher than the strength of the base materials.
When a load works in a direction perpendicular to such a joint, fractures are
highly likely to occur in the base material instead of the joint. This is because
the ductility and strength of the joint is equal to or higher than the strength of
the base material. In this case, the joint efficiency can be estimated as 100% or
higher.